WASHINGTON - The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration warned law enforcement agencies from coast to coast about a concerning spike of "mass-overdose events" involving the deadly and highly-addictive drug fentanyl.
These mass-overdose events, which are defined as three or more overdoses occurring close together and at the same location, have happened in at least seven U.S.
cities in recent months — resulting in 58 overdoses and 29 deaths, the DEA warned in a letter on Wednesday.The letter, which was addressed to local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, noted recent mass overdose cases in:Such events have been driven by fentanyl, which is found in all 50 U.S.
states. Drug traffickers are "driving addiction" and increasing profits by mixing fentanyl with other illicit drugs, such as cocaine and fake prescription pills, DEA Administrator Anne Milgram warned in a statement."Tragically, many overdose victims have no idea they are ingesting deadly fentanyl, until it’s too late," Milgram said.